Golf ball

Abstract

Pinless molding of a cover ( 24 ) for a golf ball ( 20 ), and an apparatus and method for manufacturing a golf ball precursor product ( 22 ) for use in pinless molding is disclosed herein. Preferably the golf ball precursor product ( 22 ) comprises a core ( 26 ) and a mantle layer ( 28 ). The golf ball precursor product ( 22 ) preferably has a plurality of lobes ( 30 ) extending from an innersphere ( 27 ). The plurality of lobes ( 30 ) allow the golf ball precursor product ( 22 ) to be centered within a cover mold without the use of pins for centering.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for forming a cover on a golf ball, the method comprising:
 positioning a golf ball precursor product within a mold cavity, the golf ball precursor product having a plurality of lobes extending outward from an innersphere of the golf ball precursor product; 
 dispensing a cover material into the mold cavity to form a cover around the golf ball precursor product; 
 flowing the cover material around each of the plurality of lobes to provide a cover with each of the plurality of lobes extending to an unfinished surface of the golf ball; and 
 applying a coating to the unfinished surface of the golf ball. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1  wherein the golf ball precursor product is a core and mantle layer, the plurality of lobes extend from a surface of the mantle layer. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1  wherein the golf ball precursor product is a core and the plurality of lobes extend from a surface of the core. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of lobes has a height ranging from 0.005 inch to 0.100 inch and the innersphere of golf ball precursor product has a diameter ranging from 1.45 inches to 1.69 inches. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of lobes comprises a first lobe positioned on a first hemisphere of the golf ball precursor product and a second lobe positioned on a second hemisphere of the golf ball precursor product. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of lobes comprises a first group of three lobes positioned on a first hemisphere of the golf ball precursor product and a second group of three lobes positioned on a second hemisphere of the golf ball precursor product. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1  wherein dispensing a cover material into the mold cavity comprises reaction injecting a material into the mold cavity, the material comprising a reaction mixture of a polyol reactant and a isocyanate reactant. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1  wherein dispensing a cover material into the mold cavity comprises injecting a thermoplastic material into the mold cavity. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1  wherein the coating is a paint. 
     
     
       10. A golf ball comprising:
 a golf ball precursor product having a plurality of lobes, each of the plurality of lobes extending outward from an innersphere of the golf ball precursor product; 
 a cover, the cover covering a non-lobe area of the golf ball precursor product; 
 a coating disposed on the cover and a top of each of the plurality of lobes. 
 
     
     
       11. The golf ball according to  claim 10  wherein the golf ball precursor product comprises a core and a mantle, each of the plurality of lobes extending from a surface of the mantle layer. 
     
     
       12. The golf ball according to  claim 10  wherein the coating comprises a paint layer and a top coat layer. 
     
     
       13. The golf ball according to  claim 10  wherein the coating comprises a first paint layer, a second paint layer and a top coat layer. 
     
     
       14. The golf ball according to  claim 10  wherein the coating comprises a top coat layer. 
     
     
       15. The golf ball according to  claim 10  wherein the golf ball precursor product comprises a core, each of the plurality of lobes extending from a surface of the core. 
     
     
       16. The golf ball according to  claim 10  wherein each of the plurality of lobes has a height ranging from 0.010 inch to 0.100 inch and the innersphere of golf ball precursor product has a diameter ranging from 1.45 inches to 1.69 inches. 
     
     
       17. The golf ball according to  claim 10  wherein the plurality of lobes comprises a first lobe positioned on a first hemisphere of the golf ball precursor product and a second lobe positioned on a second hemisphere of the golf ball precursor product. 
     
     
       18. The golf ball according to  claim 10  wherein the plurality of lobes comprises a first group of three lobes positioned on a first hemisphere of the golf ball precursor product and a second group of three lobes positioned on a second hemisphere of the golf ball precursor product. 
     
     
       19. The golf ball according to  claim 10  wherein the plurality of lobes cover 5% to 25% of the surface area of the innersphere of the golf ball precursor product.